Hoffman three saves shy of all-time record

September 17, 2006
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - As the San Diego Padres continue to chase a postseason spot, closer Trevor Hoffman is seeking a bit of personal glory.

Hoffman recorded his 475th career save Sunday, leaving him three behind Lee Smith for the all-time record. :icon_toast:
The 38-year-old Hoffman worked around a two-out walk in the ninth inning Sunday to preserve San Diego's 2-1 triumph over Los Angeles. With the win, the Padres (78-70) moved into first place in the National League West Division, one-half game ahead of the Dodgers (78-71).

It was the NL-leading 39th save for Hoffman,who owns the major league record with 11 30-save seasons. The righthander also has reached the 40-save plateau seven times in his career, including a personal-best 53 in 1998.

A five-time All-Star, Hoffman's most infamous moment in the midsummer classic came in July, when he blew the save in a 3-2 defeat to the American League, which consequently will have home-field advantage in the World Series.

But that meltdown was just a small blemish for Hoffman, who is 0-2 with a 1.80 ERA in 57 games this year. He owns a 49-55 mark with a 2.70 ERA in 14 major league seasons with the Padres and Florida Marlins.

Smith registered 478 career saves with eight teams from 1980-97. He had 10 30-save seasons and three 40-save campaigns, including a career-high 47 with the 1991 St. Louis Cardinals. However, he is not in the Hall of Fame.

September 17, 2006
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - As the San Diego Padres continue to chase a postseason spot, closer Trevor Hoffman is seeking a bit of personal glory.

Hoffman recorded his 475th career save Sunday, leaving him three behind Lee Smith for the all-time record. :icon_toast:
The 38-year-old Hoffman worked around a two-out walk in the ninth inning Sunday to preserve San Diego's 2-1 triumph over Los Angeles. With the win, the Padres (78-70) moved into first place in the National League West Division, one-half game ahead of the Dodgers (78-71).

It was the NL-leading 39th save for Hoffman,who owns the major league record with 11 30-save seasons. The righthander also has reached the 40-save plateau seven times in his career, including a personal-best 53 in 1998.

A five-time All-Star, Hoffman's most infamous moment in the midsummer classic came in July, when he blew the save in a 3-2 defeat to the American League, which consequently will have home-field advantage in the World Series.

But that meltdown was just a small blemish for Hoffman, who is 0-2 with a 1.80 ERA in 57 games this year. He owns a 49-55 mark with a 2.70 ERA in 14 major league seasons with the Padres and Florida Marlins.

Smith registered 478 career saves with eight teams from 1980-97. He had 10 30-save seasons and three 40-save campaigns, including a career-high 47 with the 1991 St. Louis Cardinals. However, he is not in the Hall of Fame.

Updated on Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 9:52 pm EDT​

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I think there's 14 or15 games left in the regular season...I hope he gets it this year, cuz I don't think he'll be back next year.

I havent seen any Scotty for Closer sentiments in quite awhile. Have seen alot of complaining about the "Linebrink Run".

There are much more Cla should be our Closer type posts.

I dont know if Cla, at such a young age, has what it takes mentally, but today showed alot of moxie. Once his streak was broken after giving up that bomb, he got it back together to not give up anymore. That took some cajones.

I havent seen any Scotty for Closer sentiments in quite awhile. Have seen alot of complaining about the "Linebrink Run".

There are much more Cla should be our Closer type posts.

I dont know if Cla, at such a young age, has what it takes mentally, but today showed alot of moxie. Once his streak was broken after giving up that bomb, he got it back together to not give up anymore. That took some cajones.

I think there's 14 or15 games left in the regular season...I hope he gets it this year, cuz I don't think he'll be back next year.

Could be wrong, but...

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When I learned yesterday that there were 13 games left, there was no doubt in my mind that he'd break the record... My only concern at this point is that he get his next three wins within the next five games so the tieing and breaking of the record can be celebrated in SD.

We'll be at the game on Thursday night... It would be great to see him reach the record on Thurs. and break it over the weekend... It's all good though as long as we win.